The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks have claimed a deserving 14-12 victory to claim the 2016 and their first NRL Premiership against the Melbourne Storm at a packed out ANZ Stadium.
The game had heart and aggression from the get-go, with players amped up for what was the first Grand Final for the majority of players. The Storm were the first to fault when Marika Koroibete was put On-Report in the 5th minute after a high tackle on Sharks halfback, Chad Townsend, rewarding the Sydney side with a penalty. This resulted in the Sharks adding the first points through a successful kick by James Maloney.
It wasn’t long until the Sharks side extended their lead when a quick pass in the scrum from Captain Paul Gallen slotted into the hands of Ben Barba who found a gap in the Storms defence and added the first four pointer of the night. Maloney sealed the try with a successful conversion cementing the Sharks 8-nil lead 15 minutes in.
The Storm struggled to find their rhythm and keep up with the fast pace of the game in the first half, running into the sheds scoreless and down 8 points to nil.
Halftime Statistics
Melbourne Storm |
|
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
40% |
Possession |
60% |
82% |
Completion Rate |
86% |
17 |
Total Sets |
21 |
14 |
Complete Sets |
18 |
3 |
Incomplete Sets |
3 |
253 |
Tackles |
166 |
240 |
Tackles Made |
150 |
13 |
Tackles Missed |
16 |
The second half saw the Melbourne side strike back, finding their composure and the try line in the 50th minute. The try from Jesse Bromwich was made sweeter with a Cameron Smith kick slotting straight through the uprights, narrowing the gap 8 points to six.
But it wouldn’t stop there. Melbourne centre, Will Chambers got his hands on the ball in the 64th minute, stepped over the opposition, changed his running line and made his way through the Sharks defence scoring the Storms second try. Smith’s conversion, brought the Storm into a 12-8 point lead leaving the Sharks behind for the first time in the match.
But what proved to be a Grand Final contest, the Sharks answered back, scoring right under the posts by forward player, Andrew Fifita. Maloney put his team back in front 14-12 by kicking a successful conversion right in front of goals.
The physical and close encounter ended with only a few points between the two teams and with a deserving victory to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 14 (Ben Barba 1, Andrew Fifita 1 tries; James Maloney 3 goals)
Defeated
Melbourne Storm 12 (Jesse Bromwich 1, Will Chambers 1 tries; Cameron Smith 2 goals)
Fulltime Statistics
Melbourne Storm |
|
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
43% |
Possession |
57% |
88% |
Completion Rate |
90% |
33 |
Total Sets |
40 |
29 |
Complete Sets |
36 |
4 |
Incomplete Sets |
4 |
461 |
Tackles |
336 |
436 |
Tackles Made |
301 |
25 |
Tackles Missed |
35 |
